# fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house

This phrase means the results of the guilt will happen to Joab and his family as if something heavy had collapsed on them. AT: "always cause suffering for Joab and for all his father's house" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# all his father's house

Here "house" refers to descendants. AT: "all the descendants of Joab's father" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# May there never fail to be

This double negative emphasizes that there will always be someone with the problems listed. AT: "May there always be" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# is killed by the sword

Here "sword" refers to violent death. AT: "dies violently" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# goes without food

"is hungry"